Oil changes are an inevitable and expensive part of car ownership. Or are they? While it’s true you’ll have to change your Kia Optima’s engine oil often to maintain engine health and performance, doing so doesn’t have to be expensive!

You can save money on oil maintenance by performing changes yourself, right at home—and in this article, we’ll show you how.

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2014 Kia Optima engine oil capacity

So, how much engine oil does a 2014 Kia Optima take? The answer is 5.3 quarts or 5.0 liters.

When determining your vehicle’s engine oil capacity, it’s important to know the difference between oil capacity and engine displacement. The space that your 1.7-liter engine takes up underneath the hood isn’t the same as its oil capacity, and those numbers are definitely not interchangeable!

What kind of oil does a 2014 Kia Optima need?

Knowing how much oil your 2014 Optima needs isn’t enough—you also need to know what type of oil you should be using. According to your owner’s manual, you should use premium grade 5W-20 motor oil in your Optima engine.

But what do those numbers and letters mean? While it’s not necessary to understand oil grades just to change your engine oil, it’s handy information to have. Basically, the numbers in the oil grade denote an oil’s viscosity (how thick or thin it is) at a given temperature—and the “W” simply stands for winter.

The numbers 5 and 20 denote that this particular type of oil is relatively thin—although it’s thinner at colder temperatures, making it ideal for cold weather conditions. In other words, you’re looking for an oil with those ratings because it performs well even in cold weather while causing less wear and tear on your engine.

And now you know about oil grades!

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How often to change oil on a 2014 Kia Optima

We’ve gone over how much oil to use and what type of engine oil your car needs. But is it time to change your oil?

According to the manufacturer, a Kia Optima requires fresh engine oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you rarely take your Optima out, every six to eight months may be a better benchmark to use. In any case, you should be changing your engine oil at least twice a year to maintain optimal (get it?) performance

If you’re not sure how long you’ve gone between oil changes, your car may let you know you’re due in the following ways:

The color of your engine oil is dark brown or black (clean oil is light brown or amber)

The engine oil feels coarse or gritty

There are strange noises coming from the engine

Odors like oil, smoke, or burning

Changes in your car’s performance

If you notice one or more of the symptoms above in your Optima, chances are it’s time to change the oil.

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Did you know that you can save money on your Kia Optima’s oil changes by performing them yourself? Changing your engine oil is a beginner-friendly task that requires just a few simple tools. If you’re up to the challenge, here’s what you’ll need: a socket wrench and filter wrench (designed for removing/replacing oil filters), a drain pan, and a replacement filter.

Remember to grab your 5.3 quarts of 5W-20 motor oil! Assuming you have these items at your disposal, you should begin by letting the engine run for about five minutes until it reaches its standard operating temperature. The oil can then be more easily drained and replaced because it will have warmed up.

Then, turn off the engine and open the hood to perform the following steps:

First, remove the oil fill cap

Next, get underneath the engine and remove the oil drain bolt and washer (using your socket wrench)

Allow the old engine oil to drain into your drain pan

While the oil is draining, you can remove the old oil filter (cue the filter wrench!)

Install the new oil filter

Replace the oil drain bolt (don’t forget to use a new washer)

Refill the engine with your fresh 5W-20 motor oil and replace the fill cap

Ta-da! You’ve successfully changed your 2014 Kia Optima’s engine oil! Once you’ve completed the last step, it’s a good idea to turn your car back on for 30 seconds to a minute, watching for any leaks.

Don’t forget the last step: clean up. Used motor oil should never be discarded in the trash or left on the street. You should put it in a sealed container and take it to a

local recycling center

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